opioid prescribing for chronic pain: resource pack...4 foreword 1. this document brings together a...
TRANSCRIPT
Reproduced and adapted from
Wigan Borough CCG Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain: Resource Pack
GMMMG Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain: Resource Pack
With permission
Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain: Resource Pack
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Version Control
Version Date Approved Committee Date of next review
Version 1.0
2nd July 2019 Sunderland CCG Executive committee
July 2022
5th June 2019 South Tyneside and Sunderland Area Prescribing committee
July 2022
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Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................4
Managing patient expectation .............................................................................................................................6
Opioid trial ..............................................................................................................................................................7
Patient agreement.............................................................................................................................................7
Starting the trial .................................................................................................................................................7
Duration of the opioid trial ................................................................................................................................7
Choice of opioid formulation and dose ..........................................................................................................7
Patient monitoring .............................................................................................................................................7
Documentation ..................................................................................................................................................8
Assessing whether the opioid trial is a success ...........................................................................................8
Arrangement for review ........................................................................................................................................8
Responsibility for prescribing ..............................................................................................................................9
Repeat prescribing ................................................................................................................................................9
Rational prescribing ........................................................................................................................................... 10
Keep pain relief simple and effective .......................................................................................................... 10
South Tyneside and Sunderland formulary opioids ...................................................................................... 10
Fentanyl safety concerns .................................................................................................................................. 11
Overdose risk.................................................................................................................................................. 11
Accidental ingestion ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Stopping opioids in primary care ..................................................................................................................... 11
What if the patient isn’t keen? ...................................................................................................................... 12
Converting opioids ............................................................................................................................................. 13
Prescribing drugs likely to cause dependence or misuse ........................................................................... 13
Identification of prescription opioid dependent patients ............................................................................... 14
Appendix 1 – Faye’s story ................................................................................................................................ 16
Appendix 2 – What to discuss with the patient when considering opioid treatment ................................ 20
Appendix 3 – Ten Footsteps patient information leaflet ............................................................................... 21
Appendix 4 – About Pain patient information leaflet ..................................................................................... 26
Appendix 5 – Thinking about Opioid Treatment for Pain patient information leaflet ............................... 28
Appendix 6 – Pain Diary ................................................................................................................................... 29
Appendix 7 - Opioid management plan: treatment agreement ................................................................... 33
Appendix 8 – Taking Opioids for Pain patient information leaflet ............................................................... 34
Appendix 9 – Driving and Pain patient information leaflet ........................................................................... 38
Appendix 10 – Summary of NICE guidance related to pain relief and opioids ........................................ 40
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Appendix 11 – Useful read codes ................................................................................................................... 45
Appendix 12 - Letter inviting patients for review ........................................................................................... 46
Appendix 13 – Letter suggesting review of tramadol due to serotonin syndrome risk ............................ 47
Appendix 14 – Opioid policy - new patients ................................................................................................... 48
Appendix 15 – Opioid policy – issuing prescriptions .................................................................................... 49
Appendix 16 – Practice procedure for lost/stolen controlled drug prescriptions ...................................... 50
Appendix 17 – Practice procedure for patients where dependence on, or diversion of, controlled drugs
has been identified ............................................................................................................................................. 51
Appendix 18 – Reporting of controlled drug incidents ................................................................................. 52
Appendix 19 – Approximate equi-analgesic potencies of opioids .............................................................. 53
Appendix 20 – CQC and NHSE checklist for safer use of oxycodone medicines ................................... 54
Appendix 21 – CQC and NHSE checklist for safer use of fentanyl and buprenorphine CD transdermal
patches ................................................................................................................................................................ 55
Appendix 22 – MHRA fentanyl skin patches patient information leaflet .................................................... 56
Appendix 23 – Preparation for dose reduction .............................................................................................. 57
References .......................................................................................................................................................... 58
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Foreword
1. This document brings together a number of resources clinicians can use to support the appropriate use and review of opioids used for chronic pain. The information included refers to the management of adult patients although some of the principles may also apply to use in older children. The information in this document does not apply to palliative care and end of life care where use of opioids should follow the World Health Organisation (WHO) pain ladder and relevant guidance.
2. The term chronic pain is used throughout this document and refers to a continuous pain that persists beyond the expected time of healing or for longer than 3 months excluding cancer related pain and pain experienced at the end of life care.
3. Opioids are increasingly being prescribed to manage chronic pain; however, the clinical evidence shows limited effectiveness and patient safety concerns due to the risks associated with long-term use of opioids such as fractures and falls, endocrine abnormalities, immunomodulation, opioid induced hyperalgesia and dependence.
4. Opioid prescribing in general practice is higher in the North of England when compared to other areas of the UK. Both South Tyneside and Sunderland CCGs are national outliers in terms of the level of opioid prescribing.
5. Based on the clinical evidence Public Health England and the Faculty of Pain Medicine have advised:
Opioids are very good analgesics for acute pain and for pain at the end of life but there is little evidence that they are helpful for long term pain.
A small proportion of people may obtain good pain relief with opioids in the long term if the dose can be kept low and especially if use is intermittent (however it is difficult to identify these people at the point of initiation).
The risk of harm increases substantially at doses above an oral morphine equivalent of 120mg/day, but there is no increased benefit.
If a patient is using opioids but is still in pain, the opioids are not effective and should be discontinued, even if no other treatment is available.
Chronic pain is very complex and if patients have refractory and disabling symptoms, particularly if they are on high opioid doses, a very detailed assessment of the many emotional influences on their pain is essential.
5. Drug treatments:
Should be reserved for when non-pharmacological therapies alone have failed.
Should be given on a trial basis initially.
Should only be continued with good objective evidence of improved function (not just pain perception).
6. The British National Formulary (BNF) advises that the prescriber has three main
responsibilities:
To avoid creating dependence by introducing drugs to patients without sufficient reason.
To see that the patient does not gradually increase the dose of a drug, given for good medical reasons, to the point where dependence becomes more likely.
To avoid being used as an unwitting source of supply for addicts and being vigilant to methods for obtaining medicines.
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7. Appendix 1 provides a patient story highlighting the issues that can occur with long term
opioid use - Appendix 1 – Faye’s story
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Managing patient expectation
8. Chronic pain is difficult to treat. Complete relief of pain is rarely achieved with opioids. The goal of therapy should be to reduce symptoms sufficiently to support improvement in physical, social and emotional functioning.
9. The decision to start long term opioid therapy should be considered carefully by the prescriber, the patient and his/her carers and other members of the healthcare team.
10. It is difficult to predict how individual people with chronic pain will respond to any given medicine. Opioids for long-term pain only benefit around one in every four or five people achieving a 30-50% reduction in pain at best. This means that for every 10 patients initiated on opioids for chronic pain they will be ineffective and so should be stopped for 7 - 8 patients.
11. Around 80% of patients taking opioids will experience at least one adverse effect. These should be discussed with the patient before treatment begins. Patients should be aware of uncertainty regarding the long term effects of opioids, particularly in relation to endocrine and immune function.
12. Where opioids are to be prescribed the patient should have a carefully supervised trial of opioid therapy with evaluation of analgesic efficacy and adverse effects.
13. Patients who do not achieve useful pain relief from opioids within 2-4 weeks are unlikely to gain benefit in the long term.
14. Short-term efficacy does not guarantee long-term efficacy, therefore, regardless of which opioid analgesic is used, regular review and reassessment to determine that there is continued value from using a particular medication is important in providing on-going good quality chronic pain management.
Practice Resources Appendix 2 – What to discuss with the patient when considering opioid treatment Appendix 3 – Ten Footsteps patient information leaflet Appendix 4 – About pain patient information leaflet Appendix 5 – Thinking about opioid treatment for pain patient information leaflet Appendix 6 – Pain diary
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Opioid trial
15. The opioid trial establishes whether the patient achieves any reduction in pain with use
of opioids. Achieving optimal doses and managing side effects of opioids is not the
purpose of the trial; these can be explored once it has been shown whether opioids are
helpful for the patient.
Patient agreement
16. A written, structured agreement including information on the desired outcomes of treatment, frequency of review, dose prescribed and circumstances in which opioid treatment may be stopped e.g. evidence of dependence should be part of routine practice and can act as a helpful starting point when discussing progress and therapy.
Starting the trial 17. Agree some readily assessable outcomes that indicate that opioids may play a role in
the patient’s management. These will usually include reduction in pain intensity and ability to achieve specific functional improvement facilitated by the medication. For patients in whom sleep is significantly impaired by pain, improved sleep would be a reasonable outcome.
Duration of the opioid trial 18. If the patient has constant pain, the opioid trial may be concluded in one or two weeks.
19. If the patient has intermittent disabling flare ups of pain on a background of more
manageable symptoms, the trial should be long enough to observe the effect of opioids on two or three episodes of increased pain.
Choice of opioid formulation and dose
20. Where possible, the usefulness of opioids should be explored by prescribing a short supply (1-2 weeks) of immediate release oral opioid.
21. If a weak opioid is required codeine should be used.
22. If a strong opioid is required immediate release morphine should be used.
23. The patient may be advised to explore different doses within a specified range e.g. morphine 5-10mg. If reduction in pain is not achieved following a single dose of immediate relief morphine 20mg, opioids are unlikely to be beneficial in the long term.
24. A trial of fixed dose regimens using modified release preparations needs to allow for one or two upwards dose adjustments and may therefore take three weeks or more. Patient monitoring
25. The patient should keep a diary during the opioid trial. This should include a twice-daily report of pain intensity, comment on sleep, note of activity levels and how any of these are changed following a dose of opioid. All doses of opioid should be recorded in the diary with a comment on side effects.
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Documentation 26. Clinical records should include:
relevant clinical findings that support the decision to prescribe opioids
agreed outcomes of opioid therapy
the choice of drug, formulation, starting dose, details of any planned dose escalation and duration of treatment
the circumstances under which opioid therapy should be discontinued
arrangements for follow up
the information given to patients
Assessing whether the opioid trial is a success 27. The patient should be reviewed within four weeks of initiation of opioid treatment.
28. If the opioid trial demonstrates that the medicines are unhelpful, the reasons for this
should be clearly documented e.g. lack of efficacy, intolerable adverse effects.
29. If the patient reports no improvement in symptoms following the trial it is very unlikely that long-term opioid therapy will be helpful.
30. If the opioid trial is not successful, the drugs should be tapered and stopped within one week.
31. There is little evidence that one opioid is more effective and associated with fewer side effects than others. There is a theoretical rationale for trying an alternative opioid if the first drug tried is helpful but causes intolerable side effects. Practice Resources Appendix 2 – What to discuss with the patient when considering opioid treatment Appendix 4 – About Pain patient information leaflet Appendix 5 – Thinking about opioid treatment for pain patient information leaflet Appendix 6 – Pain diary Appendix 7 – Opioid management plan: treatment agreement Appendix 8 – Taking opioids for pain patient information leaflet Appendix 9 – Driving and pain patient information leaflet Appendix 10 – Summary of NICE guidance: Related to pain relief and opioids Appendix 11 – Useful read codes
Arrangement for review
32. Where practical, review of long term opioid therapy should be carried out by the initial
prescriber.
33. The frequency of review once the opioid regimen has been established will depend on
the early effectiveness of treatment, the frequency of troublesome side effects, the timing of additional interventions to control pain e.g. surgery, and the presence of concerns in relation to problematic use of opioids.
34. When a regimen is stable and the patient reports substantial relief of symptoms and
where additional concerns do not dictate otherwise, opioid treatment should be
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reviewed at least six monthly. Reviews should be more frequent where clinical concerns are raised.
35. Consider intermittent dose reductions to demonstrate that on-going prescriptions are
clinically appropriate and beneficial.
36. See Stopping opioids in primary care section for advice on discontinuing opioids where they are no longer needed, ineffective, not tolerated or dependence/problematic use is identified.
Practice resources Appendix 11 – Useful read codes Appendix 12 – Letter inviting patients for review Appendix 13 – Letter inviting patients for review due to tramadol and antidepressant
serotonin syndrome risk
Responsibility for prescribing
37. Where practical, the patient should receive prescriptions from a single prescriber.
38. If the patient needs a prescription from someone other than the usual prescriber, documentation should be clear and accurate to support consistency of safe care. Practice Resources Appendix 14 – Opioid policy new patients Appendix 15 – Opioid policy- issuing prescriptions
Repeat prescribing
39. In general, opioids should not be added to the repeat prescribing system but should be
generated as acute prescriptions.
40. If an opioid has a demonstrable positive benefit for an individual patient and there is a
robust system for monitoring use then consideration may be given for short-term authorisation of repeat prescriptions, with no more than a 28 day supply prescribed at one time. Practice resources Appendix 14 – Opioid policy new patients Appendix 15 – Opioid policy- issuing prescriptions Appendix 16 – Practice procedure for lost/stolen controlled drug prescriptions Appendix 17 – Practice procedure for patients where dependence on, or diversion of,
controlled drugs has been identified Appendix 18 – Reporting of controlled drug incidents via cdreporting.co.uk
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Rational prescribing
Keep pain relief simple and effective 41. Follow these S.T.E.P.S. to answer the following questions:
Is it Safe for the patient to continue on this medication long term?
Can they Tolerate this medication with its side effects?
Is the medication Effective? Some patients can’t tell one way or another.
Are they are on the best Priced treatment? (Expensive treatment is acceptable if it works.)
Is the taking of analgesics as Simple as possible? Would a long-acting preparation be preferable to frequent doses of short-acting analgesics?
42. It is easier to manage opioid prescribing if a single opioid is used rather than combining several opioids. If several opioids are being used when reviewing treatment the total opioid load must be considered.
43. Drugs should be used for their licensed indication only. 44. The oral route should always be used where possible. Use of opioid formulations with a
rapid onset, such as fentanyl for transmucosal or sublingual administration, is inappropriate for the management of chronic pain. Injectable opioids should not be used in the management of patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Patches should only be used if oral opioids are not suitable and analgesic requirements are stable.
45. The minimum effective dose should always be used. When medicines do not give sufficient analgesia there is a risk of dose escalation which is rarely helpful. For chronic pain, the dose above which harms outweigh benefits is 120mg oral morphine equivalent/24hours. Increasing opioid load above this dose is unlikely to yield further benefits but exposes the patient to increased harm.
South Tyneside and Sunderland formulary opioids
First Choice Alternative
Weak opioid Codeine Dihydrocodeine (NB not recommended for regular use) or Tramadol
Strong opioid Morphine Oxycodone
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46. It is helpful to calculate total daily dose of opioid (total opioid load) in morphine equivalents, particularly when more than one opioid is used.
Dose approximately
equivalent to 120mg
morphine
For chronic pain do not
exceed
Morphine 120mg 60mg bd
Oxycodone 60mg 30mg bd
Fentanyl patch 33mcg/hr 37mcg/hr (1x25mcg +
1x12mcg patch)
Buprenorphine patch 50mcg/hr 52.5mcg/hr
Fentanyl safety concerns
Overdose risk
Inappropriate strength of fentanyl patches prescribed in opioid naive patients.
Failure to remove an old patch before applying a new fentanyl patch.
Exposure of the patch application site to a heat source (e.g. hot bath, hot water bottle, electric blanket, heating pad etc.) or increased body temperature (e.g. fever).
Accidental ingestion
Poorly affixed fentanyl patches transferring to another person for whom fentanyl is not intended.
Applying improperly disposed patches to the body believing the patches to be stickers or plasters e.g. children, adults with dementia or visual impairment.
Practice resources Appendix 10 – Summary of NICE guidance: related to pain relief and opioids Appendix 19 – Approximate equi-analgesic potencies of opioids Appendix 20 – CQC and NHSE guidance on safer use of oxycodone Appendix 21 – CQC and NHSE guidance on safer use of fentanyl and buprenorphine
transdermal patches Appendix 22 – MHRA fentanyl skin patches patient information leaflet
Stopping opioids in primary care
47. It is important to taper or stop the opioid regimen if:
The medication is not providing useful pain relief.
The underlying painful condition resolves.
The patient receives a definitive pain relieving intervention (e.g. joint replacement).
The patient develops intolerable side effects.
There is strong evidence that the patient is diverting his/her medications to others. 48. Withdrawal symptoms (e.g. sweating, yawning and abdominal cramps, restlessness,
and anxiety) occur if an opioid is stopped/dose reduced abruptly and so doses should be gradually reduced.
49. The decision to taper/stop an established opioid regimen needs to be discussed carefully with the patient including:
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The rationale for stopping opioids including the potential benefits of opioid reduction (avoidance of long term harms and improvement in ability to engage in self-management strategies).
Agreeing outcomes of opioid tapering e.g. stopping opioid completely, for patient on high doses reducing dose to 120mg/day morphine equivalence.
Arrangements for monitoring and support during opioid taper.
Documented agreement of tapering schedule. 50. The dose of drug can be tapered by 10% weekly or two weekly.
51. The reduction becomes a larger proportion of the dose that the patient is taking as their
dose reduces. This is why patients may run into difficulty as they reach lower doses. Consider smaller dose reductions as the dose becomes lower.
52. Tapering can be paused but should not be reversed except in exceptional circumstances.
53. Patients who are failing to derive benefit from large doses of opioids (greater than oral morphine equivalent of around 300mg/day) may need support from specialist services in order to reduce medication. Opioid tapering/cessation when patients are taking a high dose is more likely to succeed if patients’ emotional and mental health needs are identified and an appropriate plan for support established.
What if the patient isn’t keen?
54. General Medical Council (GMC) guidance is that doctors have to act in the patients best interests – this may involve reducing an opioid prescription against the patient’s wishes.
55. Document your reasons for embarking on an enforced wean, and on your attempts to gain patient agreement. A documented Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) discussion is advisable. Consider contacting secondary care (such as the pain clinic) for advice.
56. A suggested strategy for an enforced wean:
Pick a reduction dose (e.g. 10%).
Inform the patient that you will reduce their prescription by that amount every month. They can decide at what point during the month they wish to reduce their intake, but need to be ready for the lower dose when they collect their next prescription.
Make sure you implement the dose reductions.
You will need to ensure that the patient is not inadvertently prescribed opioids by colleagues. This requires good communication within the practice, with locum services and if necessary out of hours and emergency services.
Practice resources Appendix 11 – Useful read codes Appendix 12 – Letter inviting patients for review Appendix 13 – Letter inviting patients for review due to tramadol and antidepressant
serotonin syndrome risk Appendix 23 – Preparation for dose reduction
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Converting opioids
57. Conversion factors are an approximate guide only because comprehensive data are lacking and there is significant inter-individual variation.
58. In most cases, when switching between different opioids, the calculated dose-equivalent must be reduced to ensure safety.
59. The starting point for dose reduction from the calculated equi-analgesic dose is around 25-50%.
60. A dose reduction of at least 50% is recommended when switching at high doses, in elderly or frail patients, or because of intolerable side effects.
61. The half-life and time to onset of action of the two drugs needs to be considered when converting so that the patient does not experience breakthrough pain or receive too much opioid during the conversion period. Patches have a particularly long half-life.
62. Once the conversion has occurred, the dose of new opioid should be titrated carefully according to individual response and the patient monitored closely for side effects and efficacy, especially when switching at high doses. Practice resources Appendix 19 – Approximate equi-analgesic potencies of opioids Appendix 20 – CQC and NHSE guidance on safer use of oxycodone Appendix 21 – CQC and NHSE guidance on safer use of fentanyl and buprenorphine
transdermal patches
Prescribing drugs likely to cause dependence or misuse
63. The BNF advises that the prescriber has three main responsibilities:
To avoid creating dependence by introducing drugs to patients without sufficient reason.
To see that the patient does not gradually increase the dose of a drug, given for good medical reasons, to the point where dependence becomes more likely. The prescriber should keep a close eye on the amount prescribed to prevent patients from accumulating stocks. A minimal amount should be prescribed in the first instance, or when seeing a patient for the first time.
To avoid being used as an unwitting source of supply for addicts and being vigilant to methods for obtaining medicines. Methods include visiting more than one doctor, fabricating stories, and forging prescriptions.
64. Patients under temporary care should be given only small supplies of drugs unless they present an unequivocal letter from their own doctor.
65. Prescribers should also remember that their own patients may be attempting to collect prescriptions from other prescribers, especially in hospitals.
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Practice resources Appendix 11 – Useful read codes Appendix 14 – Opioid policy new patients Appendix 15 – Opioid policy- issuing prescriptions Appendix 16 – Practice procedure for lost/stolen controlled drug prescriptions Appendix 17 – Practice procedure for patients where dependence on, or diversion of,
controlled drugs has been identified Appendix 18 – Reporting of controlled drug incidents via cdreporting.co.uk Appendix 23 – Preparation for dose reduction
Identification of prescription opioid dependent patients
66. Indicators that suggest the possibility of dependence should be explored in those on a long term opioid prescription:
Long-term prescribing of opioids for non-cancer conditions.
Current or past psychiatric illness or profound emotional trauma.
Reports of concern by family members or carers about opioid use.
Concerns expressed by a pharmacist or other healthcare professionals about long-term opioid use.
Insistence that only opioid treatment will alleviate pain and refusal to explore other avenues of treatment.
Refusal to attend or failure to attend appointments to review opioid prescription.
Resisting referral for specialist addiction assessment.
The repeated seeking of prescriptions for opioids with no review by a clinician.
Repeatedly losing medications or prescriptions.
Taking doses larger than those prescribed or increasing dosage without consulting the clinician; often coupled with seeking early replacement prescriptions. Associated with continued requests for dose escalations.
Seeking opioids from different doctors and other prescribers. This can take place within GP practices, often identifying locum doctors or doctors unfamiliar with their case. This may be associated with attempting unscheduled visits.
Obtaining medication from multiple different providers, NHS and private GPs, repeatedly and rapidly deregistering and registering with GPs, seeking treatment for the same condition from both specialists and GP; or seeking treatment from multiple specialists. This may be coupled with a refusal to agree to writing to the main primary care provider.
Obtaining medications from the internet or from family members or friends.
Resisting referrals to acute specialists about complex physical conditions or failing to attend specialist appointments.
Appearing sedated in clinic appointments.
Misusing alcohol or using illicit or over-the counter, internet or other prescribed drugs or a past history of alcohol or other drug dependence.
Deteriorating social functioning including at work and at home.
Resisting or refusing drug screening.
Signs or symptoms of injecting opioids or snorting oral formulations.
67. It is sensible to reduce dosages steadily or to issue weekly or daily prescriptions for small amounts if it is apparent that dependence is occurring.
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Practice resources Appendix 11 – Useful read codes Appendix 14 – Opioid policy new patients Appendix 15 – Opioid policy- issuing prescriptions Appendix 17 – Practice procedure for patients where dependence on, or diversion of,
controlled drugs has been identified Appendix 18 – Reporting of controlled drug incidents via cdreporting.co.uk Appendix 23 – Preparation for dose reduction
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Appendix 1 – Faye’s story
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19
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Appendix 2 – What to discuss with the patient when considering opioid treatment
Explain that the evidence for the use of opioids as analgesics is best when used in the management of acute pain, over a period of hours from onset but tapering dose over days to a few weeks.
Explain that opioids are poorly effective for long-term pain. For a small proportion of patients, opioids may be successfully used as part of a broader plan including non-medication treatments and self-management.
Discuss the degree of pain relief that might be expected and understand that the aim is not complete pain relief but rather reducing pain sufficiently to engage in self-management.
Agree specific functional goals that might be achieved.
Discuss the potential harms of opioid treatment including: o Sedation o Nausea o Constipation o Effects on hormones o Effects on the immune system o Potential for the drugs to worsen pain o Potential for problematic drug use and addiction
Discuss opioids and impairment of driving skills
Discuss the opioid trial
Discuss the circumstances in which opioid therapy will be stopped
Discuss arrangements for review
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Appendix 3 – Ten Footsteps patient information leaflet
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24
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Appendix 4 – About Pain patient information leaflet
Most of us have experience of everyday pain including headaches, pain from minor injuries and muscular pain for example following exercise. These pains don’t last long and often don’t need treatment. All pain we feel is affected by how we are feeling generally, our past experience of pain and any concerns we have about the cause of the pain. If we are worried and distressed about how pain may affect us in the future, our pain will feel worse. Also, unpleasant thoughts, feelings and memories (even if these are not to do with pain) can influence how we feel pain. Anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, previous emotional upsets or other mental health problems, are likely to worsen our experience of pain and make it more difficult to treat.
Types of Pain Pain is usually described as acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) pain (usually more than three months).
Acute pain is usually related to an obvious injury such as dental infection, bone fracture or operation.
Chronic pain sometimes begins with an injury but the pain doesn’t get better as expected: often it is not clear how a chronic pain has started. Common types of chronic pain include low back pain, pain related to arthritis and pain related to injury to a nerve or other part of the nervous system (neuropathic pain). Chronic pain is usually not a sign of on-going injury or damage but may be to do with changes in the nervous system that occur over time so that the pain signalling becomes self-sustaining over a prolonged period.
Cancer pain is usually described separately and may be short or long lasting. The pain can relate to the cancer itself or the cancer treatment. Additionally, people with cancer may experience acute or chronic pain unrelated to their cancer.
Acute and chronic pain can range from mild or severe with the difference being how long the symptoms last.
About Pain
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Treatments for different types of pain (you may have more than one type of pain) Acute Pain Acute pain can be severe but usually gets better quite quickly (days or weeks). Treatments usually only need to be given for a short time while healing of the injury begins. Acute pain is often straightforward to treat with a range of medicines and other treatments depending on how severe the pain is. Opioid medicines are useful for treating acute pain and usually only need to be given for a period of a few days. The dose of opioid should be reduced as healing occurs. Chronic Pain Chronic pain can cause low mood, irritability, poor sleep and reduced ability to move around. Unlike acute pain, chronic pain is difficult to treat with most types of treatment helping less than a third of patients. Most treatments aim to help you self-manage your pain and improve what you can do. Different treatments work for different people. Medicines generally and opioids in particular are often not very effective for chronic pain. Other non-medicine treatments may be used such as electrical stimulating techniques (TENS machine), acupuncture, advice about activity and increasing physical fitness, and psychological treatments such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and meditation techniques such as mindfulness. Helping you understand about chronic pain is important and in particular helping you understand that physical activity does not usually cause further injury and is therefore safe. It is important that you understand that treatments tend not to be very effective and that the aim is to support you in functioning as well as possible. Neuropathic Pain Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain associated with injury to nerves or the nervous system. Types of neuropathic pain include, sciatica following disc prolapse, nerve injury following spinal surgery, pain after infection such as shingles or HIV/AIDS, pain associated with diabetes, pain after amputation (phantom limb pain or stump pain) and pain associated with multiple sclerosis or stroke. Neuropathic pain is usually severe and unpleasant. Medicines may be used to treat neuropathic pain but are usually not very effective and work for a small proportion of people. You may not benefit from the first drug tried so you may need to try more than one drug to try and improve symptoms. Cancer Pain Cancer pain is usually associated with an obvious source of tissue damage and may be acute or chronic. Neuropathic pain can occur with cancer diagnoses and treatments (such as radiotherapy). Because cancer pain treatment, particularly at the end of life, is often for a short duration, it is usually more successful than chronic pain treatment. People who recover from cancer or who survive a long time with cancer may have pain that is more difficult to treat.
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Appendix 5 – Thinking about Opioid Treatment for Pain patient information leaflet
Pain is complicated and influenced by many factors, including:
how you are feeling in general
your previous experience of pain
your understanding of why you have pain and any worries you have about it
how you deal with your pain and how your pain affects your life Pain that doesn’t get better tends to cause distress, tiredness and irritability. Your sleep may also be affected and it can cause problems with daytime activities and moving around. Because of this, it can also affect relationships with friends and family. You should discuss, with your doctor, what you expect from the treatment. It is easier to treat pain after surgery or an injury with painkiller medicines; however it is rarely possible to relieve long-term pain completely by using painkillers. The aim of treatment is to reduce your pain enough to help you get on with your life. In trials most medicines for long-term pain only benefit around one in every four or five people and on average only provide 30% reduction in pain. Medicines work best if you combine them with other ways of managing symptoms such as regular activity and exercise, and doing things that are satisfying or enjoyable, such as work or study, and social activities. Setting goals to help improve your life is an important way to see if these drugs are helping. ’Why don’t my painkillers work?’ is a commonly asked question, and often one without any easy answers. Long-term pain arises through many different mechanisms, and most drugs only work for one of these. Some pains do not seem to respond to any painkilling medicines. You can get used to painkillers, including opioids, so that you need more and more to have the same effect (this is called building up tolerance.) However, we know that high doses of opioid medicines taken for long periods are unlikely to give better pain relief and are associated with a number of problematic adverse effects. You should also consider:
if you are allergic to any drugs or medicines
if you are taking any other medicines or herbal medicines
if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you are planning to become pregnant in the future
if you have a kidney problem if you have or have had a history of excessive alcohol use, recreational drug use or
addiction to prescribed or over-the-counter medication
Thinking about Opioid Treatment for Pain
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Appendix 6 – Pain Diary
Pain Diary
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will explain to you how to take your pain relief medications.
This diary will help you and your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to decide whether the pain relief
medications you take are suitable for you.
Please fill in the pain diary every time you take your pain relief medication or at least twice a
day.
When you fill in your pain intensity please use the pain assessment tool below to help you
describe the pain you are experiencing.
Record your pain intensity just before taking your pain relief medications, take your
medications, then wait 30 – 60 minutes and record your pain intensity again.
Please keep a note of any side effects that your pain relief medications cause and how the
pain is affecting your daily activities such as stopping you doing activities, or limiting how far
you can walk.
Please bring the completed pain diary to the next appointment for your pain. You and your
doctor, nurse or pharmacist can use the information you record to decide if your pain relief
medications are right for you.
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Date and time
Name of medication and dose taken
Pain intensity before taking pain relief
Pain intensity after taking pain relief
Any side effects? What are they?
Is your pain affecting daily activity? In what way?
Was my sleep disturbed by pain?
/ / ____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
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Date and time
Name of medication and dose taken
Pain intensity before taking pain relief
Pain intensity after taking pain relief
Any side effects? What are they?
Is your pain affecting daily activity? In what way?
Was my sleep disturbed by pain?
/ / ____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
32
Date and time
Name of medication and dose taken
Pain intensity before taking pain relief
Pain intensity after taking pain relief
Any side effects? What are they?
Is your pain affecting daily activity? In what way?
Was my sleep disturbed by pain?
/ / ____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
/ /
____am
____pm
33
Appendix 7 - Opioid management plan: treatment agreement Patient Name: ……………………………….…… NHS number: ……………………………..
Condition(s) being managed with opioids:
New opioids being commenced as this agreement is being implemented:
(This is for a trial period during which the prescriber will need good evidence of improvement
in function to embark on long term treatment)
Period before next mandatory review:
(For new trials 2-4 weeks, for long-term prescription 6–12 months)
Patient Declaration
In signing this agreement, the patient agrees to the following conditions regarding his/her
treatment and the prescribing of an opioid medication:
1. I have read the Thinking About Opioid Treatment For Pain and Taking Opioids For Pain information leaflets and I will tell my GP if I experience on-going/intolerable side effects.
2. My GP is responsible for prescribing a safe and effective dose of the opioid medication. My GP will control my dose, perhaps with advice from one or more hospital specialist in a condition relevant to my pain.
3. I will follow the directions given to me by my GP; I will not increase my dose and will discuss any changes in my dose with my GP.
4. I will not use any other opioids in addition to those prescribed by my GP. 5. I will only obtain my opioid medication from my GP. 6. I understand that no early prescriptions will be provided. 7. Any evidence of unsafe use such as: drug hoarding, acquisition of any opioid
medication or other pain medication from other sources, uncontrolled dose escalation, loss of prescriptions, or failure to follow the agreement may result in termination of the agreement and withdrawal of opioids.
8. I am responsible for the security of my opioid medication at home. Lost, misplaced or stolen medication or prescriptions for opioid medicines may not be replaced. In the event that opioid medication is stolen, I will report this to the police.
9. I am aware that giving my opioid medication to other people is illegal and could be dangerous to them.
10. I understand that if my level of activity has not improved, I do not show a significant reduction in my pain, or if I fail to comply with any of the conditions listed above my opioid prescription may be changed or stopped.
Patient’s Signature: …………………………….. ………………. Date: ………………………….
Medical Practitioner’s Signature: ……………………………… Date: ………………………….
34
Appendix 8 – Taking Opioids for Pain patient information leaflet
How do Opioids Work? Opioids provide pain relief by acting on areas in the spinal cord and brain to block the transmission of pain signals. Opioids are considered to be some of the strongest painkillers available and are used to treat pain after surgery, serious injury and cancer. Opioid drugs can help manage some but not all types of chronic pain. How are Opioids Taken? Opioid medicines come in many different forms, such as injections, tablets, capsules, liquids, and patches. When should I take my Opioid Medicines? For continuous long-term pain you may be given a slow-release tablet which gives a steady level of medicine in the blood that is the best way to manage pain. Your healthcare team will adjust the dose to give you pain relief most of the time, and so you don’t get too many side effects. Fast-acting opioid medicines and opioids that can be injected are not very useful for managing continuous pain. What dose of Opioid should I take? The correct dose of any medicine is the lowest dose that produces a noticeable benefit. It is not usual to get complete relief of pain from opioids. You should always take the correct dose of prescribed medicines. If you feel the dose isn’t enough, or if the side effects interfere with your life, you should discuss this with your healthcare team. How long will it take to work? This depends on the form that has been prescribed. Long-term pain tablets or skin patches are prescribed most commonly. Fast acting tablets may be used when you first start trying opioid treatment. They may work within an hour and last for around three to four hours. Slow release tablets or patches take longer, up to two or three days to begin to have any noticeable effect. What are the possible side effects? When you first start taking opioids you can get some side effects, which usually stop after a few days. These include:-
feeling dizzy
feeling sick (nausea)
being sick (vomiting)
feeling sleepy
feeling confused
Taking Opioids for Pain
35
Sometimes these side effects can go on for longer than a few days. Your healthcare team may give you some other medicines to help, such as anti-sickness tablets. If pain has affected your sleep, opioids may help you to recover your normal pattern of sleep, but they should not make you drowsy in the daytime. Opioid medicines can cause some problems when you take them for long periods of time. These problems include:-
constipation*
itching
weight gain
lack of sex drive
difficulty breathing at night**
* This is a common problem when taking opioids and does not tend to go away the longer you take opioid medicines. You may need to try laxatives to treat constipation. If you experience a lot of side effects your team may suggest changing to another opioid drug.
** This is most common if you are overweight and if you snore heavily. If you have a condition called obstructive sleep apnoea it may not be safe for you to take opioids.
Can I drive when I’m taking Opioids? The law in the UK allows you to drive if you are taking prescribed opioid medicines in accordance with the instructions from your prescriber (including what your prescriber advises you about driving safely). You should never drive if you feel unsafe. Your ability to drive may be affected by other medicines you are taking in addition to opioids, whether you feel tired and by your pain. You are responsible for making sure you are safe on each occasion that you drive. The law on drugs and driving in the UK changed in 2015. If your driving is impaired for any reason, including taking medicines, it is illegal to drive. It is also now illegal to drive when you are taking opioid medicines without them being prescribed, even if you are not impaired. Preparation for the new drug driving laws involved extensive scientific research to investigate what effect opioid drugs have on ability to drive safely. We now know that if a person is taking more than 220mg of morphine a day they are likely to have a blood level of the medicine which impairs them nearly as much as someone who is over the legal limit of alcohol. All opioid medicines have the potential to impair driving and your prescriber will advise whether the dose of opioid you are taking is likely to impair you. If you are taking a high dose of opioid your prescriber will advise you that you are probably not safe to drive and will document this in your medical notes. The doses of opioid medicine that are likely to affect your driving are quite high and are above the level that we know is safe and effective for pain treatment. It is unsafe to drive in the first few days after starting an opioid and for a few days after dose change (up or down). Drinking alcohol reduces the amount of opioid medicine you can take and drive safely so do not drive if you have drunk alcohol and taken opioid medicines. What if I forget or miss a dose? Take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your medication as normal. Do not take two doses together.
36
Can I take this medicine long-term? While opioids can have a positive benefit for some people living with long-term pain they can have serious consequences when they are not providing sufficient benefit or are being taken in a manner that was not intended.
It is important to consider the risks and benefits of continued opioid therapy with your prescriber on a regular basis. Recent medical literature suggests that the risks to your health increase significantly when prescribing opioids at high doses for a long period of time. If you take opioid drugs for many months or years it can affect your body in a number of ways. These problems include:-
reduced fertility
low sex drive
irregular periods
erectile dysfunction in men (the inability to keep an erection)
reduced ability to fight infection
increased levels of pain
If you are worried about any of these problems, please discuss this with your healthcare team. Your team will be able to tell you whether you are at risk of developing these problems.
Everyone prescribed opioid medicines in the long-term should have them reviewed by their prescriber at regular intervals. If this does not happen ask your General Practitioner.
If you want to try reducing your dose, you should discuss this with your doctor and bring the dose down slowly.
Many people find that after a few months they can reduce their opioid dose without the pain increasing. Many individuals are able to reduce gradually their opioid dose and find that their pain is no worse. As fewer side effects are experienced, quality and enjoyment of life can improve. All of this contributes to greater physical fitness.
Can I drink alcohol? Alcohol and opioids can both cause sleepiness and poor concentration. You should avoid alcohol completely when you first start on opioids or when your dose has just been increased. If you are taking opioids, you should avoid alcohol if you are going to drive or use tools or machines. When you get on a steady dose of opioid, you should be able to drink modest amounts of alcohol without getting any extra unusual effects.
Will my body get used to Opioid Medicines? Opioids can become less effective with time (this is called tolerance) meaning your body has got used to the pain relieving effect of the medicine.
You can also become dependent on opioid medicines (dependence). This means that if you stop taking the drug suddenly, or lower the dose too quickly, you can get symptoms of withdrawal. If you run out of medicine, you can experience the same symptoms that include:-
tiredness
sweating
a runny nose
stomach cramps
stomach cramps
diarrhoea
aching muscles
37
What about addiction to Opioids? It is rare for people in pain to become addicted to opioids. People who are addicted to opioids can:-
feel out of control about how much medicine they take or how often they take it
crave the drug
continue to take the drug even when it has a negative effect on their physical or mental health
We do not know exactly how many people get addicted when they are taking opioids for pain relief but it is very uncommon. It is more common if you have been addicted to opioids (including heroin) or to other drugs (or alcohol) before. Addiction may be more common in people with severe depression or anxiety. This does not mean that if you have had an addiction problem before or you are very depressed and anxious you will become addicted. It only means that you are more likely to become addicted than someone who has not had these problems. Most people do not become addicted. So, if you have had a problem with drug or alcohol addiction in the past this doesn’t mean that you cannot take opioid medicines for your pain. However, your healthcare team will need to know about your past or current drug-taking to prescribe opioids safely and to help you watch out for warning signs. What if I want to stop taking an Opioid? Do not stop taking your opioid suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Speak to your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, pharmacist) who will be able to supervise a gradual reduction. Is there anything else my prescriber needs to know?
If you are allergic to any drugs or medicines
If you are taking any other medicines or herbal medicines
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you are planning to become pregnant in the future
If you have a kidney problem
If you have or have had a history of excessive alcohol use, recreational drug use or addiction to prescribed or over-the counter medication.
38
Appendix 9 – Driving and Pain patient information leaflet
Am I able to drive whilst taking medications prescribed for pain? Yes, but only if your ability to drive is not impaired.
Medications prescribed to help manage pain may cause side-effects such as dizziness or sleepiness and so may impair your driving.
It remains the responsibility of all drivers to decide whether they consider their driving is, or might be impaired on any given occasion. Do not drive if this is the case. Sometimes your doctor may advise you not to drive. If this is the case, even if you do not feel impaired, you must not drive as it is against the law to do so.
What symptoms may mean I cannot drive safely? Do not drive if you experience symptoms that may impair your driving such as sleepiness, poor coordination, impaired or slow thinking, dizziness or visual problems.
These symptoms can occur as side effects of medication, but be aware that pain itself can also affect sleep, concentration and impair physical function.
When might I be at risk of my driving being impaired? This includes the following circumstances that may increase the risk of your driving being impaired:
When first starting a new pain medication When increasing or reducing the dose of pain medication If another prescribed medication is added that could also impair your driving If you take an over the counter medicine that could also impair your driving If you have a pain condition that could physically impair your driving
Be aware that alcohol taken in combination with some pain medications can substantially increase the risk of accidents.
Do I need to inform the DVLA when I start a new medication? You do not need to routinely inform the DVLA when you start medications for pain. However, there may be other information about your illness that the DVLA needs to know. Your doctor or the DVLA can advise you about this.
Driving and Pain Information for Patients
39
Do I need to inform my Motor Vehicle Insurance Company? We would strongly advise you to inform your motor vehicle insurance company about your current state of health and what medication you are taking to ensure your motor insurance is valid.
The ‘Drug Driving’ law If you have been prescribed one of the following medications you may be affected by this law: morphine or related drugs (such as codeine, tramadol or fentanyl), ketamine, clonazepam, diazepam, methadone, oxazepam, temazepam, lorazepam, flunitrazepam, amphetamine (e.g. dexamphetamine or selegiline), cannabinoids (e.g. sativex).
From 2015 there is a new offence of driving above a specified limit for these medications (like the current rules on alcohol and driving). If you are stopped and tested by the police you may test above the legal limit - depending on the dose you have been prescribed or the type of medicine.
If you are taking these medications in line with advice from a Doctor or Pharmacist and your driving is not impaired you may use a ‘medical defence’.
If the police are satisfied that a driver is taking the relevant medicine on the advice of a healthcare professional, and their driving is not impaired, they should not be prosecuted.
It may be useful for you to keep suitable evidence with you (such as a copy of your clinic letter and prescription) to show the police if you are ever stopped.
However, if your doctor feels it is not safe for you to drive and you continue to do so, you will be breaking the law.
The following government website provides further information on the drug driving law: https://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law
40
Appendix 10 – Summary of NICE guidance related to pain relief and opioids
NICE Guidance Non-pharmacological options First choice medications
Alternative options
Low back pain (NG59) Do Not Do statements: Do not offer paracetamol alone for managing low back pain. Do not routinely offer opioids for managing acute low back pain Do not offer opioids for managing chronic low back pain. Do not offer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants for managing low back pain. Do not offer anticonvulsants for managing low back pain.
Self-management Information on nature of low back pain and sciatica. Encouragement to continue with normal activities. Non-pharmacological options Exercise for people with a specific episode or flare-up of low back pain with or without sciatica. Manual therapy (spinal manipulation, mobilisation or soft tissue techniques such as massage) for managing low back pain with or without sciatica, but only as part of a treatment package including exercise, with or without psychological therapy. Combined physical and psychological programme, incorporating a cognitive behavioural approach (preferably in a group context that takes into account a person's specific needs and capabilities), for people with persistent low back pain or sciatica: when they have significant psychosocial obstacles to recovery (for example, avoiding normal activities based on inappropriate beliefs about their condition) or when previous treatments have not been effective. Promote and facilitate return to work or normal activities of daily living for people with low back pain with or without sciatica.
NSAIDs Consider weak opioids (with or without paracetamol) for managing acute low back pain only if an NSAID is contraindicated, not tolerated or has been ineffective.
41
NICE Guidance Non-pharmacological options First choice medications
Alternative options
Osteoarthritis (CG177) Do Not Do statements: Do not offer rubefacients Do not offer glucosamine or chondroitin products Do not offer intra-articular hyaluronan injections
Self-management Offer accurate verbal and written information to all people with osteoarthritis to enhance understanding of the condition and its management, and to counter misconceptions, such as that it inevitably progresses and cannot be treated Non-pharmacological options Core treatments to all people with clinical osteoarthritis:
Access to appropriate information
Activity and exercise (should include local muscle strengthening and
general aerobic fitness).
Interventions to achieve weight loss if the person is overweight or obese
Use of local heat or cold Manipulation and stretching particularly for osteoarthritis of the hip. Advice on appropriate footwear for people with lower limb osteoarthritis. People with biomechanical joint pain or instability should be considered for assessment for bracing/joint supports/insoles Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Assistive devices (for example, walking sticks and tap turners) for people who have specific problems with activities of daily living.
Paracetamol Topical NSAIDs for people with knee or hand osteoarthritis Topical capsaicin for knee or hand osteoarthritis.
If paracetamol or topical NSAIDs are insufficient for pain relief then the addition of opioid analgesics should be considered. Risks and benefits should be considered, particularly in older people Where paracetamol or topical NSAIDs are ineffective for pain relief for people with osteoarthritis, then substitution or addition of an oral NSAID/COX-2 inhibitor should be considered. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections should be considered as an adjunct to core treatments for the relief of moderate to severe pain in people with osteoarthritis.
42
NICE Guidance Non-pharmacological options First choice medications
Alternative options
Neuropathic pain (CG173) Do Not Do statement: Do not start the following to treat neuropathic pain in non-specialist settings, unless advised by a specialist to do so:
cannabis sativa extract
capsaicin patch
lacosamide
lamotrigine
levetiracetam
morphine
oxcarbazepine
topiramate
tramadol long-term
venlafaxine
sodium valproate
Amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin or pregabalin Trigeminal neuralgia carbamazepine
Consider tramadol only if acute rescue therapy is needed Consider capsaicin cream for people with localised neuropathic pain (except trigeminal neuralgia) who wish to avoid, or who cannot tolerate, oral treatments
43
NICE Guidance Non-pharmacological options First choice medications
Alternative options
Tension headache (CG150) Do Not Do statement: You should not be offered an opioid to treat tension-type headache.
Aspirin (not if under 16), paracetamol or an NSAID
Migraine (CG150) Do Not Do statements: You should not be offered an ergot or an opioid to treat migraine. Do not offer gabapentin for the prophylactic treatment of migraine
Triptan together with either an NSAID or paracetamol
If you prefer to take only 1 drug, they may offer you a triptan, an NSAID, high-dose aspirin or paracetamol.
Cluster headache (CG150) Do Not Do statement: You should not be offered paracetamol, an NSAID, an opioid, an ergot or a triptan in tablet or capsule form to help relieve cluster headache.
Oxygen and/or a triptan
44
NICE Guidance Non-pharmacological options First choice medications
Alternative options
Medication overuse headache (CG150)
Stop all headache medications at the same time for at least one month
Rheumatoid arthritis (NG100)
Non-pharmacological options Physiotherapy Occupational therapy Hand exercising programmes Podiatry Psychological interventions
Conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
Biological and targeted synthetic DMARDs
Short-term glucocorticoids for managing flares.
NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors when control of pain or stiffness is inadequate.
45
Appendix 11 – Useful read codes
Chronic pain – 1M52
Chronic pain review – 66n
Patient counselled - 6721
Medication stopped ineffective – 8BI7
Doctor stopped drug ineffective – 8B350
Treatment not tolerated – 8I7
Opioid drug dependence – E240z
Non-dependent opioid abuse – E255z
Poisoning by opioids - SyuFB
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Appendix 12 - Letter inviting patients for review [Practice name]
[Address]
[Tel]
[Fax]
[Email]
[Date]
[Title/Initial/Surname]
[Patient Address Block]
Dear [Title] [Surname]
At ............................... Surgery we take patient safety very seriously. We follow the latest
advances in medical research and continually update and review our clinical practice to ensure
patient care is of the highest standard.
Recent research has highlighted a significant risk to patient safety around the use of opioid type
painkillers for chronic pain.
We know that these drugs are helpful in pain of recent onset for example a broken bone and
they are also effective in patients with cancer related pain.
However, recent medical evidence questions the benefit of opioid type painkillers for chronic
pain. Strange as it might sound – we don’t think they are very good at killing pain at all when
taken for more than a few months.
Our records suggest that you are being prescribed opioids for chronic pain (please tell us if
that’s incorrect) and, because we don't want our patients put at risk, we would like to see you to
discuss the current research and new methods of managing chronic pain with less emphasis on
drug therapy.
Please book a face to face appointment with a doctor of your choice before your next
medication repeat is due and we’ll work together towards a safer, more effective treatment plan.
Yours sincerely
Dr XXX and partners
47
Appendix 13 – Letter suggesting review of tramadol due to serotonin syndrome risk
[Practice name]
[Address]
[Tel]
[Fax]
[Email]
[Date]
[Title/Initial/Surname]
[Patient Address Block]
Dear [Title] [Surname]
Tramadol and Antidepressants
Our records show you are currently being prescribed both Tramadol and an antidepressant. The
antidepressant may be prescribed for pain rather than depression.
Due to potentially serious interactions between Tramadol and certain antidepressants. This
interaction can lead to a condition called Serotonin Syndrome which can cause symptoms such
as excessive sweating, fast pulse rate, high blood pressure and shaking. In rare circumstances
it has contributed to the death of some patients.
At <<Practice name>> patient safety is our priority so in view of this recent information we have
taken a decision that we need to review your tramadol with the aim of reducing and stopping
your Tramadol.
Tramadol should not be stopped abruptly; we will need to discuss a withdrawal timetable with
you and possibly the substitution of an alternative pain killer should this be necessary.
Please book an appointment within 28 days of receipt of this letter, as after that period
Tramadol will be removed from your medication order list.
If you have any questions in the meantime please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Thank You for your understanding & co-operation.
Yours sincerely
Dr XXX and partners
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Appendix 14 – Opioid policy - new patients
A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or
use is regulated by the government because of the potential for abuse or addiction. Such drugs
include those classified as narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and cannabis.
A list of the most commonly encountered controlled drugs can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlled-drugs-list--2
Many of our patients require strong, potentially addictive medication to help manage their condition(s). Of concern are ‘drugs of dependence’ (e.g. opioid medications and benzodiazepines), particularly when these are prescribed on an on-going basis.
Due to increasing reports of abuse of prescription drugs and patient behavioural problems, [insert practice name] has established a policy to ensure adequate treatment of your condition, while reducing the risk of problems with drug prescriptions.
If you are a new patient to the practice:
It may take time to get accurate medical information about your condition. Until such information is available, your GP may choose not to prescribe any medication. It is our policy that GPs do not prescribe drugs of dependence until they have a full clinical picture.
Your GP may decide not to continue prescribing an opioid medication previously prescribed for you. It may be determined that such a medication is not suitable. It is our policy that GPs do not prescribe drugs of dependence if they feel that previous prescriptions were inappropriate.
Your GP will evaluate your condition and only prescribe an opioid of the strength necessary for you. This may be different to the drug you had prescribed at your previous GP Practice.
General practice standards:
If the decision to prescribe is taken after a shared discussion of goals, plans, risks and benefits, you may be required to confirm your consent in writing.
You will be asked to complete the Opioid Management Plan: Treatment Agreement that will detail our practice’s expectations when prescribing drugs of dependence. This agreement details your responsibilities as a patient taking a drug of dependence; any prescriptions issues; advice on taking your medications; how we will monitor your care; and the standards of behaviour that are expected.
Patients may need to acknowledge that their care requirements may be complex, and that referral for on-going care for all or part of your healthcare may be required. It is our practice policy that patient care is matched with the level of complexity.
Patients are reminded that we have a zero tolerance on issues relating to staff abuse.
49
Appendix 15 – Opioid policy – issuing prescriptions
A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or
use is regulated by the government because of the potential for abuse or addiction. Such drugs
include those classified as narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and cannabis.
A list of the most commonly encountered controlled drugs can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlled-drugs-list--2
Many of our patients require strong, potentially addictive medication to help manage their condition(s). Of concern are ‘drugs of dependence’ (e.g. opioid medications and benzodiazepines), particularly when these are prescribed on an on-going basis.
Due to increasing reports of abuse of prescription drugs and patient behavioural problems, [insert practice name] has established a policy to ensure adequate treatment of your condition, while reducing the risk of problems with drug prescriptions.
Patients initiated on opioids will be asked to complete the Opioid Management Plan: Treatment Agreement.
All new opioids will be issued as acute prescriptions.
Wherever possible, patients will see the same Prescriber for review of the initial prescription.
Where opioids are initiated by an external provider the Practice will only take over prescribing once a written request has been received.
All patients will be reviewed within 4 weeks of initiation of an opioid prescription; pain assessed and a decision made as to the effectiveness of the drug.
Whilst patients are being stabilised on medication this will be issued as an acute prescription.
Where opioids are ineffective they will be stopped, even if no alternative is available.
Where patients have been stabilised on an opioid which has been shown to be effective this may be added to the patients repeat medication at the prescribers discretion.
Where opioids are added to repeat prescription the maximum re-authorisation period will be 6 months.
Patients on long-term opioids will be reviewed every 6 months. Treatment will only be continued where there is on-going evidence of benefit.
All opioids will be issued on prescriptions with a maximum duration of 1 month.
All opioid prescriptions will include full directions wherever possible and use of PRN or MDU directions will be avoided.
50
Appendix 16 – Practice procedure for lost/stolen controlled drug
prescriptions
A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or
use is regulated by the government because of the potential for abuse or addiction. Such drugs
include those classified as narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and cannabis.
A list of all controlled drugs can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlled-drugs-list--2
For all controlled drugs which includes: benzodiazepine, codeine, dihydrocodeine or a product containing one of these drugs e.g. (Co-codamol, Kapake) in addition to the drugs in the link above: 1. The loss or theft of a controlled drug prescription must be recorded in the patients’ medical
record and a READ code added to enable the Practice to monitor/audit.
2. If the prescription is stolen, the patient or the Practice must report the incident to the police and provide the Practice with a crime number.
3. The loss or theft of a controlled drug or prescription must be reported to NHS England at [email protected] – an alert will then be produced and circulated.
4. The Practice must review the patient’s records when considering if it is appropriate to re-issue a prescription. Notes should be assessed to identify if there is a pattern of regularly requesting additional prescriptions. Practices may consider reviewing ordering patterns for immediate family and household members when considering patterns of behaviour. If a pattern is identified this could indicate an underlying problem such as abuse, diversion or a safeguarding issue, refer as appropriate. Advice on the management of controlled drugs can also be obtained by contacting the NHS England Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs via the NECS Medicines Optimisation Team at [email protected]
5. The patient should be invited in for review and the appropriate steps taken.
6. Practices may issue a small supply of medication to cover the period until the patient attends.
7. At the review, Practices should review the appropriateness of the current prescription and steps that can be taken to support the patient such as:
Reducing and withdrawing medication
Reducing script duration e.g. weekly prescriptions
Discussion about future action should there be further issues
Working with the community pharmacy e.g. if prescriptions are being stolen could the pharmacy collect prescriptions on the patient’s behalf, use of EPS when this module is activated.
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Appendix 17 – Practice procedure for patients where dependence on, or diversion of, controlled drugs has been identified
A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by the government because of the potential for abuse or addiction. Such drugs include those classified as narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and cannabis.
A list of all controlled drugs can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlled-drugs-list--2
For all controlled drugs which includes: benzodiazepine, codeine, dihydrocodeine or a product
containing one of these drugs e.g. (Co-codamol, Kapake) in addition to the drugs in the link
above:
1. If it has been identified that patients are either dependent on, or diverting, controlled drug prescriptions this must be recorded in the patient’s medical record and a READ code added to enable the Practice to monitor/audit.
2. The diversion of a controlled drug or prescription must be reported to the NHS England Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs via the NECS Medicines Optimisation Team at [email protected]
3. If practices need to send out an alert regarding lost or stolen prescriptions, this can be done by contacting NHS England at [email protected] – an alert will then be produced and circulated.
4. The Practice must review the patient’s records when considering if it is appropriate to
continue to prescribe controlled drugs for the patient. Practices may consider reviewing ordering patterns for immediate family and household members when considering patterns of behaviour.
5. The patient should be invited in for review and the appropriate steps taken.
6. Practices may issue a small supply of medication to cover the period until the patient attends.
7. At the review, Practices should review the appropriateness of the current prescription and steps that can be taken to support the patient such as:
Reducing and withdrawing medication including an enforced wean
Reducing script duration e.g. weekly or daily prescriptions
Discussion about future action should there be further issues
Referral to substance misuse services
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Appendix 18 – Reporting of controlled drug incidents
1. Controlled drug incidents or concerns should be notified to the NHS England Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs via the NECS Medicines Optimisation Team at [email protected] NHS Cumbria and North East Accountable Officer – Dr James Gossow
2. A controlled drug incident which should be reported includes:
Fraudulent / forged prescriptions
Lost / stolen prescriptions and / or medication
Controlled drug balance discrepancies
Dispensing errors involving controlled drugs
Prescribing errors involving controlled drugs
Spillages 3. To request an authorised witness to attend your premises for the destruction of expired
and obsolete stock schedule 2 controlled drugs, please contact the NECS Medicines Optimisation Team at [email protected]
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Appendix 19 – Approximate equi-analgesic potencies of opioids
Oral administration
Potency ratio with oral morphine
Equivalent dose to 10mg oral morphine
Codeine phosphate 0.1 100mg
Dihydrocodeine 0.1 100mg
Tramadol 0.15 67mg
Morphine 1 10mg
Oxycodone 2 5mg
Tapentadol 0.4 25mg
Transdermal administration
Transdermal buprenorphine changed at weekly intervals
5 microgram/hour
10 microgram/hour
20 microgram/hour
Codeine phosphate (mg/day)
120mg 240mg
Tramadol (mg/day) 100mg 200mg 400mg
Morphine sulphate (mg/day)
12mg 24mg 48mg
Transdermal buprenorphine changed every three or four days (twice weekly)
35 microgram/hour 52.5 microgram/hour 70 microgram/hour
Morphine sulphate (mg/day)
84mg 126mg 168mg
Fentanyl patch strength (microgram/hour) Oral morphine (mg/day)
12 45
25 90
50 180
75 270
100 360
200 720
300 1120
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Appendix 20 – CQC and NHSE checklist for safer use of oxycodone medicines
1. Oxycodone should only be used as a second-line strong opioid, if morphine is not suitable or cannot be tolerated. The specialist pain or palliative care team should be consulted for advice in cases of complex pain management.
2. Obtain details of the previous daily dose, and frequency of administration of previous analgesics used by the patient.
i. Ensure where a dose increase is intended, that the calculated dose is safe for the patient (for oxycodone in adult patients, not normally more than 50% higher than the previous dose).
ii. Where the patient was previously taking another opioid analgesic use a locally or nationally approved dose conversion chart to accurately determine the equivalent daily dose of oxycodone.
Dose conversion charts can be found in the’ Prescribing in Palliative Care’ section of the British National Formulary (BNF).
3. Confirm the appropriate medicine formulation is being used. There are fast acting short duration (e.g. Oxynorm) and slow acting, long duration (e.g.Oxycontin) oxycodone products.
There are significant risks of overdose when a fast acting product of short duration is used in error for the slow acting, longer duration products.
Where possible prescribe by brand name to reduce confusion.
4. Check for therapeutic duplication of strong analgesics by 2 different routes of administration. There may have been an error and the previous route of administration may not have been cancelled.
5. Confirm any use of oxycodone concentrate products.
There are significant risks of overdose if a concentrate product is used in error for a normal strength product.
6. Any use of oxycodone medicines ‘as required’ should have clear guidance on the frequency that the doses can be administered.
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Appendix 21 – CQC and NHSE checklist for safer use of fentanyl and buprenorphine CD transdermal patches
1. CD transdermal fentanyl patches should be restricted to patients that are already receiving regular doses of opioids.
i. Do not use for acute pain. ii. Do not use in opiate naïve patients.
2. Before using a CD transdermal patch, calculate the total daily dose of all the opioid
analgesics that the patient has received previously. This is usually in morphine equivalence.
Use locally or nationally approved dose conversion charts to do this. There are dose conversion charts in the ‘Prescribing in Palliative Care’ Section of the British National Formulary and in CD transdermal manufacturers guidance (SPC).
3. Determine a new dose of analgesia to be delivered by transdermal CD patch in morphine equivalents. For changes in analgesia, as a ‘rule of thumb’, the total daily dose should not be increased in steps greater than 50% of the previous daily dose. Again use a conversion chart to determine the total daily dose of analgesia by CD transdermal patch(es) and where necessary divide by 24 to equate with the micrograms/hour strength of available products.
To deliver the intended dose more than one CD patch may have to be used. NB - Formally double check the calculations and where possible have the patient’s dose independently verified.
4. Ensure only those CD transdermal patches intended for current use are applied. Patches may be skin coloured or transparent, and so may not be easy to locate. Formally record the anatomical position of currently applied patches so that this information is readily available to inform future decisions and actions.
5. Prescribe by brand and ensure patients using CD transdermal patches have adequate prescriptions and supplies to minimise interruption and omission of therapy. Transdermal CD patches must be removed and replaced in accordance with the manufactures guidance (SPC).
6. Consider that patients may exhibit symptoms of opioid withdrawal when a CD transdermal patch has been omitted.
The cause of these symptoms may not be recognised and patients may be treated with benzodiazepines for these symptoms, rather than have opioid therapy for their analgesia re-instated, if necessary at a reduced dose.
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Appendix 22 – MHRA fentanyl skin patches patient information
leaflet
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Appendix 23 – Preparation for dose reduction
Factors in deciding whether to wean opioids, and how far to reduce the dose, include:
Evidence that opioids are not helping – patient’s complaints of pain; patient’s function; reports from patient’s family or associates
Risk of side effects or complications of opioids
Risk of drug theft or diversion
Patient’s ability to cope with the effects of dose reduction
Risk of patient procuring more dangerous opioids from alternative sources
Physical co-morbidities
Mental health co-morbidities including significant emotional trauma
Before weaning discuss the following with the patient:
Explain the rationale for stopping opioids including the potential benefits of opioid reduction (avoidance of long term harms and improvement in ability to engage in self-management strategies)
agreed outcomes of opioid tapering
monitoring of pain during taper
symptoms and signs of opioid withdrawal
choice of opioid reduction scheme and timing of weaning steps
incremental taper of existing drug
defining the role of drug and alcohol services to support dose reduction
close collaboration between the patient, his or her carers and all members of the patient's health care team
arrangements for follow-up including agreed prescribing responsibilities
distraction strategies, social support, help in reducing temptation to relapse
GP or other healthcare support and monitoring during the wean
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References BNF 76 September 2018-March 2019
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/
British Medical Association. Chronic pain: supporting safer prescribing of analgesics. 2017:
https://www.bma.org.uk/collective-voice/policy-and-research/public-and-population-
health/analgesics-use
e-PAIN on-line learning:
https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/faculty-of-pain-medicine/e-pain
Faculty of Pain Management and Public Health England. Opioid aware website:
https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/faculty-of-pain-medicine/opioids-aware
Live well with pain website:
http://livewellwithpain.co.uk/
NICE Controlled drugs: safe use and management (NG46)
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng46
NICE Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management (CG150)
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg150
NICE Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59)
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG59
NICE Neuropathic pain in adults: pharmacological management in non-specialist settings
(CG173)
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg173
NICE Osteoarthritis: care and management (CG177)
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg177
NICE Rheumatoid arthritis in adults: management (NG100)
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng100
Opioid Management Plan: Treatment Agreement based on NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
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